Lasik???

[mkrishnan]

I actually just heard a story on NPR the other day about how there are more problems with this procedure than people are aware of.

There was a segment on this morning also. Studies estimate adverse events (seeing starbursts, double vision, other poor night vision problems, etc) in about 5% of cases, but they are rarely reported to the government (the government rate of report was <<1%, IIRC), so the government is doing outreach to get more info. The second aspect of today's report was that people may not be adequately warned of risks or screened for contraindications or complicating factors such as dry eyes, corneal or other surface abnormalities, etc.

On the one hand, I think it would be really nice to have uncorrected adequate vision. On the other hand, I have to be honest and admit that disposable contacts treat me generally quite well....

 

[zgh1999]

I had Lasik with Intralase few months ago on my eyes.

Now my eyes have perfect vision. The procedure went really well and was fast and painless.

Make sure you pick a reputable doctor and don't try to pick a cheap one.

Best money I ever spent.

 

[Annndy!]

Mine went great too. I don't regret it one bit. I think it all comes down to how badly you need to have it done. I'm going in the Air Force, do you think I have time to be messing with contacts or losing my eyeglasses?

 

[Fuzzy14]

Just to clarify my earlier post, I had the Lasik wavefront. Me left eye was -2.5 my right -1.5 with an astigmatism. Had my checkup yesterday, left flap fully healed already, right nearly there. Vision now 20/16 both eyes, can now see better than with my glasses or contacts.

Getting Lasik done for the sake of vanity (not having to wear the glasses anymore) just isn't worth risking my eyesight.

I didn't do it for vanity purposes, glasses annoyed me (I've only worn them since age 18) and were unsuitable due to my occupation, kids pulling at them and the sports I am involved in. I wore contacts all the time until my kids came along, then with the sleepless nights my eyes got tired and I couldn't wear them as much.

I mean...it's your *sight*. One false move and you could be f***ed for life.

If you've had the procedure or done some research into it then you would know this wasn't true. I moved my eye during the surgery but it doesn't matter as the laser is computer controlled and tracks your eye to the millisecond.

Heard back from the brother who had LASIK
~stuff~

With all due respect to you and your family who sounds like you've had a dreadful time, I suggest you talk with a specialist lawyer who can advise and if at all they are liable. If you could also point me to some peer reviewed articles on the subject I would gladly read up more on this because if true there must be millions of people (including myself) who have been misled by their options and could take a class action if these claims are true.

BASICALLY DRS THAT DO LASIK ARE NOT HONEST WITH THIER PATIENTS

Hence do your research and find a reputable surgeon.

10%OF LASIK PATINETS HAVE SOME COMPLICATIONS. MANY SERIOUS

Please define complications (dry eyes?) and how many of these are serious.

WOULD YOU GET ON A PLANE IF IT CRASHED 10% OF THE TIME?

So you are comparing having dry eyes with a plane crash, oooh relevant. Laser surgery won't kill you and the chances are if you are in a plane crash you will survive.

ALMOST 100% WILL HAVE DRY EYES FOR LIFE BECAUSE THE NERVES DO NOT HEAL.

Some proof of this statistic please and an explanation why nerve damage is linked to dry eyes. In fact, are there any nerves in that part of the eye?

THE CORNEA OVERALL STRENGTH IS REDUCED BY 33-50%

Sounds very scientific, I'm sure you have some proof of this and if it actually matters if the cornea strength is reduced.

since he cant really see very well thanks to LASIK he has to use caps. people doing this should really do their homework

I agree, people should really do their homework on this, talk to people who have had it done before you believe what you read on the internet.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Getting Lasik done for the sake of vanity (not having to wear the glasses anymore) just isn't worth risking my eyesight. I mean...it's your *sight*. One false move and you could be f***ed for life.

I can promise you the reason I want lasik done is not for vanity. If I just was in it for vanity that is what contacts are for.

No the reason I want it done is so I can wake up in the morning and be able to funition. I want to be able to open my eyes and read my alarm clock clearly. I want to not have to worry about putting on contacts in the morning or not be able to wear my sunglasses because I am wearing my glasses.

Not have to worry glasses breaking when they take hard hit or deal with scratch lens.

If I had to wear reading glass the rest of my life I would be fine because im so near sighted right now I have to wear glasses to be able to read so not a huge change for me.

 

[JW8725]

can i ask if they can do the procedure with you being put to sleep? Id rather be asleep than be awake when someone is cutting into my eye.

 

[glocke12]

With all due respect to you and your family who sounds like you've had a dreadful time, I suggest you talk with a specialist lawyer who can advise and if at all they are liable. If you could also point me to some peer reviewed articles on the subject I would gladly read up more on this because if true there must be millions of people (including myself) who have been misled by their options and could take a class action if these claims are true.


Hence do your research and find a reputable surgeon.


Please define complications (dry eyes?) and how many of these are serious.


So you are comparing having dry eyes with a plane crash, oooh relevant. Laser surgery won't kill you and the chances are if you are in a plane crash you will survive.


Some proof of this statistic please and an explanation why nerve damage is linked to dry eyes. In fact, are there any nerves in that part of the eye?


Sounds very scientific, I'm sure you have some proof of this and if it actually matters if the cornea strength is reduced.


I agree, people should really do their homework on this, talk to people who have had it done before you believe what you read on the internet.

and with all due respect back to you, Im just passing on information provided to me by someone who has undergone lasik. If you think its BS, thats your call, but I personally dont have any reason to doubt the source.

Good Luck...anyone else choosing to get LASIK should check out this site.

http://www.lasikcomplications.com/index.htm

 

[Fuzzy14]

and with all due respect back to you, Im just passing on information provided to me by someone who has undergone lasik. If you think its BS, thats your call, but I personally dont have any reason to doubt the source.

Good Luck...anyone else choosing to get LASIK should check out this site.

http://www.lasikcomplications.com/index.htm

Great link, found it very interesting. Slightly biased, some of their reports properly referenced, others aren't but it does help even up all the sales crap the optician gives you. I've got my aftercare tomorrow, and although I don't have any problems I'm certainly going to raise a few questions with them as I don't think they've given all the facts that they could have.

 

[avigalante]

My GF got lasik eye surgery last summer and has had no problems. She said that the key is to not go with the cheapest offer you come across on TV or wherever, but to do diligent research and find a reputable surgeon. She also said that one shouldn't mind paying as much possible to have their eyes fixed, after all you're only given your vision once.

Hope that helps.

 

[Osarkon]

I will say this...[snip]

Heck, that's put me right off having it done now. I can't put contacts in, so i'm stuck with glasses and was seriously contemplating Lasik.

I don't know if I could cope with having that done to my eyes though.